Cantina Taqueria & Tequila Bar Reviews

We ordered tacos, buritos and a nacho plate. All were tasty and spicy. The restaurant nicely decirated, very well air conditioned (a bonus on New York summer day) with freindly atmosphere and loud music so our noisy kids didn't draw too much attention... Recommrnded if you are in the area

We’re from “out west” so we eat a lot of Mexican food, and this was some of the best Latin-inspired cooking we’ve ever tasted! I ended up leaving most of the tortilla and ate the delicious filling of the veggies burrito. The tortilla was tasty too... but I didn’t want to fill up on that and let any of the inside go to waste. You can really taste the love and care that goes into each thing. Usually I don’t get too jazzed about Spanish rice, but clearly I’ve not had it done right before. This reminded me a bit of dirty rice from New Orleans. But I think my favorite flavor was the avocado-tomatillo-lime (?) sauce. The house-made chips and guacamole were so good I couldn’t be mad about paying ten bucks for them. Light and crispy thin chips instead of the thick, greasy ones some joints serve. Last but not least I have to give a shoutout for sweet, ripe red tomatoes in the winter. They really make the other restaurants look bad with their pale, mealy excuses for tomatoes. It may be hard to avoid eating here twice in our one week visit, even with all the food choices in NYC!

This is a very pleasant neighborhood Mexican - good atmosphere, friendly and attentive service, tasty food and good margaritas. We shared x2 taco platters between 4 and were happily stuffed. Not pretentious or trying hard to be trendy like so many places in NY. Will definitely be returning.

Great tacos, delicious margaritas, friendly happy service. The food is so good and fairly priced. I have brought friends here on different occasions and they all have enjoyed it and many have come back. It's a great addition to the neighborhood.

Good tacos, nice beer selection, great service. The prices are really decent by New York standards. All in all, a very nice Latin place in the heart of Harlem.

My best friend turned me on to Cantina (7th Ave location), & I enjoyed my first visit..Drinks & food were on point..However, the last three times that I’ve popped in for the happy hour on the weekend, the frozen margarita machine is never ready..No bueno..Hopefully, this doesn’t happen again, because I really like that spot, & would hate to stop going...

I decided that I wanted Mexican food on a Friday night and came across Cantina on TripAdvisor! They had really good ratings so my boyfriend and I agreed on Cantina. What I loved most is the music, YES music! They had an awesome choice of R&B and soul music. It was a bit odd being that it’s a Mexican restaurant but I guess they preferred to have music that appealed to their customers. My tacos were okay but could have been better and my rice and beans were really dry ( I didn’t finish that). The best part of my meal was the complimentary nachos due to them forgetting to bring our appetizer of mango habanero wings that i was really excited to taste! The seating space was a little tight but it’s NYC so I expect that. My experience was not all bad but it wasn’t great! I probably wouldn’t go back.

I dined here with a friend and was very pleased with the quality of the food and service. The fajita chicken was a generous portion of chicken, onion and peppers, accompanied with quacamole, rice & refried black beans. The flour tortillas were also good quality, although I do wish there'd been 1-2 more (three tortillas were included). Our waiter was very prompt and polite: complimentary nachos came to the table straight away, as did the cold brews we ordered. He checked that everything was fine later on and refilled our water pitcher. The place is a bit on the pricey side for Harlem (or so I personally would say), but that's really the only thing you might want to ponder upon if you happen to be in NYC/Harlem and in mood for some Mexican cuisine. Go check it out!

I was visiting from out of town and I wanted some good food so my friend recommended this place and I went the next day alone . The vibes inside was great, drinks were good and the tacos especially the fried chicken one was amazing !!

This is a cozy place just one block north of central park and close to trains. The food is good and fresh and moderately priced. We shared different taco choices around the table and found them mainly appreciated, and a couple were thought excellent. There's enough of a decent tequilla and bar section to keep you occupied during your wait for food. Service was good and friendly. This is a great neighborhood place. With all the trendy and expensive places popping up in Harlem this is an excellent alternative. If I lived in Harlem, I'd visit much more often.

This is a new restaurant right around the corner from where I live in Harlem. I checked it out for brunch today and lets just say..this will probably become one of my go to places in the neighborhood. I had the seared tuna tacos, which were delish! I cant wait to try to the lobster, shrimp, pulled pork, and fish tacos. Also I had plantains..and as a plantain lover.. theirs did not disappoint! If you go for brunch on sunday they have mimosa's for only $3!. Staff very warm and friendly. The crowd and ambience were just great. All I can say is..welcome to the neighborhood!!

I was visiting the City and got off on the wrong stop. We found Cantina nearby, so tried it out. We had some of the best Tacos anywhere. So much food and such reasonably priced. Yes the tables are too small and yes the guacamole may not be the best I have ever had, but it was still good. We stuck with sodas, but other seemed to enjoying their mixed drinks. The special with 8 tacos and two sides should be enough for three people. I am happy we stumbled upon this place and will come back when I am in the city again.

Cozy, hole-in-the-wall, intimate and hopping location! The menu is fantastic and the place packs very quickly during happy hour pricing! There was a small wait and the place was a little cramped (to be expected for a great spot at a peak time!), but the service was very prompt and friendly, the food - nothing short of amazing! Will definitely go back and highly recommend!

We were craving Mexican, and 1838 filled our needs. Delightful margaritas, soft tacos thoughtfully prepared, and a filling, well-seasoned steak rice bowl were our favorites. Wish we lived closer because their happy hour would become a regular haunt of ours - $2 tacos and $4 margaritas during the work week.

The upper west side used to be so boring but bars and restaurants like this make it more exciting... and delicious. Be sure to come during happy hour for cheap but authentic tacos and margaritas.

Good food ! Nice place ! Different options for vegetarians and gluten free people. Good atmosphere :) Prices are reasonable. Will go back.

Excellent, had a meal here during the busy St Genaro festival, service was spot on , we had a cocktail, excellent and our food was quick and most of all very tasty I’d definitely go again

Love this place. Just eaten here and completely stuffed/satisfied. Amazing burritos and fajitas, plus we were well looked after. Definitely recommend. 🖒

Lovely little bar/restaurant! Stopped by for beers and ended up ordering a few tacos. Highly recommend the Modelo Battered Fish taco and the Jerk Chicken taco’s! Friendly service and a great atmosphere. Would return.

Cute little place, decent Happy Hour! If you like vegan or plant base the Impossible Tacos are a must have!!

Visited this place just for quick bite to eat. Ate between 4-7 so took advantage of the happy hour. Cocktails for $6 and tacos for $2.95. Cocktails were great and the tacos were also good, brisket one was the best!

Nice place, vezy cosy with a nice menu for dinner! iI ve been here for dinner and I tried the guacamole (delicious) and tacos. also the vegetable and meat rice bowl are thoughtfully prepared, and a filling, well-seasoned steak rice bowl were our favorites. Price is pretty fair for NYC

Visited Cantina on a random afternoon was expecting an authentic experience being that the name is Cantina. There guacamole is not freshly made as in most Mexican restaurants they make a daily batch which means if you like your guacamole to a certain liking there is no way of making changes to it. There quesadilla and drinks on the other hand are good. Side tables are a not made for there portions that are served we had to combine 2 tables. Our waitress on the other hand was nice and welcoming.

This is a hot spot! Not a place for a quiet conversation. Or much of any conversation. The food was terrific! Service terrific! Atmosphere was enjoyable! Music was fun!

Need I say more? The food is incredible. The atmosphere (when not a bar scene) is quiet and quaint. One of my newfound favorites! P.S. The lobster tacos are just as divine!

Had one pork taco, one fish. Both tasty and decent price (by NYC standards) for a few bucks at happy hour. Took a while to get them, but wasn't in a hurry. Nice little place.

Great tacos , great margaritas , and very affordable pricing. They also have many other options other than tacos.

We ended up in this place because it was the only one open nearby, and what a great chance! The food was fresh and tasty, and it was served quickly. But the best was the atmosphere, truly welcoming, thanks to the amazing young man from Colombia who waited our table. Thanks again!

Service was a bit slow because they seemed to be understaffed, but the food is delicious. The bottomless chips and salsa are so good.

I have come to Cantina 1838 for happy hour twice this week (July 14 2014) alone! From Monday to Friday, 4-7PM, all tacos (except for the steak, lobster, and the shrimp) are only $2 and drinks (all beers and regular margaritas) are $4. My friends and I love the fish, chili lime chicken, and pulled pork tacos! The margaritas are a bit watered-down. But the deal here is an incredible value given that it is in NYC. In addition, whether it is Monday or Friday, this place is hopping with great music, happy dancing people, and nice servers!

Came here for brunch. Cool, relaxed atmosphere Had the bottomless mimosas with a chorizo breakfast burrito. I challenge you to find the chorizo in the picture. Service was friendly but poor. She would go completely mia and food took a while to come out when it wasn't even crowded. Food was ok but nothing to come back for.

All the food, drinks, music, ambience, guest were great! This is definitely a place to try, we had their nhis is definitely a place to try, we had their nachos, rice, beans and chicken bowl, as well as some tacos (steak, shrimp, chicken) they were all DELICIOUS! Price is average for Manhattannachos, rice, beans and chicken bowl, as well as some tacos (steak, shrimp, chicken) they were all DELICIOUS! Price is average for Manhattan

Harlem is becoming the place to be and its because of places like Cantina 1838. The margaritas were great (they went down too easy!). Interesting tacos - like lobster - that were real good. But the best part is just the feel of the place, with the exposed brick, a good crowd of Columbia grad students and well dressed locals, and a friendly staff. With other good spots nearby, this is a welcome change to going downtown for the 100th time.

We were riding bikes through Central Park.. decided to dock the bike at a nearby location and we stumbled upon this AMAZING and DELICIOUS PLACE! good thing for us it was during Happy Hour.. we tried four different tacos, all of them were so uniquely different and equally delicious! Must Go!! Steak and pork were our favorite two!

Happy hour 4 to 7PM is a great bargain. The service is wonderful.The margaritas are tasty and the tacos are filling. I would stop in here any day after work.

Chose this restaurant at the spur of the moment. Walked in and though it was a bit small, I got a seat quickly. The service was fast and friendly. The food was DELICIOUS!! It was my first time in New York and my first time in this restaurant. I will definitely be back...SOON!!

Food was really good. Chips and salsa very tasty. Server was pretty good. Bourbon was great. I had a bowl without the rice which was pretty Keto friendly. I would go back.

Cantina is a cute, relaxed Mexican restaurant with a good happy hour for food and margaritas. While the drinks are good, the food is a hit or miss. Sometimes the tacos have been packed with flavor and tender meat, sometimes they have been overly salty. I'd recommend going for a couple of tacos and the quessadillas combined with a happy hour margarita for a fun, cheap night.

In the middle of a residential neighborhood there is this kick-butt mexican restaurant. I love the bar, I love the food, I love the people. The owner Wayne is the nicest guy ever. The bar is super chill, love hanging out there.